Bialetti Moka Express StoveTop Coffee maker, 3-Cup, Aluminum Silver
Designed by Ezio Grassi
The Moka Express is a straightforward stovetop coffee maker. It unscrews in the centre, pouring water into the bottom compartment. Coffee is poured into the centre compartment and then heated until boiling water. Superheated steam is forced up through the coffee grounds freshly brewed coffee collects in the top chamber. The geometric facets, shiny metal, and Bakelite surfaces of this 1930s design are classic Art Deco.
The Moka was also appealing enough to be placed directly on the table from the cooker. It was an expensive, avant-garde object with limited production in the 1930s. Following World War II, it was mass-produced and became a best-seller. It was exported worldwide and came to represent the elegance and style of Italy because it was simple to use and inexpensive.
Sources
McDermott, C. (1997). Twentieth-century design. Carlton.
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